Brower and Swanson win Bulverde Senior Center's 5K run

Special to the Bulverde News

Published
1:50 pm CDT, Wednesday, May 9, 2012

The 13th annual Bulverde Run for the Hills 5K Run/Walk event held Saturday and sponsored by the Bulverde Senior Center attracted a record number of participants with more than 350 runners and walkers participating.

“This is our best year yet and we are thankful for the great weather and local support,” said Bulverde Senior Center President Betty Barr.

The day's events included a health fair conducted by the Spring Branch/Bulverde Lions Club with free vision, blood pressure, glucose and hearing tests.

The silent auction featured over 60 items and 81 sponsors and vendors who displayed their goods and services for the crowd. Estimated income from the event was expected to exceed $14,000.

The Smithson Valley Junior Navy ROTC color guard opened the event, followed by the singing of the national anthem by Kathy Talcott, who is also the Comal County Tax Assessor /Collector. A tribute was also made to the “Wounded Warriors” program.

This year's run was in honor of Jim Herrington, who passed away earlier this year and served as chairman of the senior center for many years and organized the first 5K run fundraiser.

Laurie Wilson, executive director of the senior center said the event kicked off the senior center's building fund campaign to raise $600,000 for a 6,250 square-foot addition to the center's existing building.

“We have facilities for 150 people, but we have 500 members and need to make room for everyone,” she said.

Jonathon Brower won the male division with a time of 18:14. Kirsten Swanson won the female division with a time of 22:17. They each received a $50 cash prize.

Rahe Bulverde Elementary school won $300 cash for having the most student and teacher participants. Comal Crossfit won an award for the most runners/walkers from a local business.

Donna Lagoudis, a Bulverde-based freelance writer, contributed to this story.